Extension > Agriculture > Dairy Extension > Reproduction and genetics
Reproduction and genetics
Table of contents
Crossbreeding with Jersey sires – an update
Comparisons of milk, fat, protein, Somatic Cell Score, fertility, and udder measurements.
A successful reproduction program is more than a good synch program
If you cannot achieve a 20% pregnancy rate, here are some areas that you should examine.
Crossbreeding
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Track difficult calving to gain profit
Crossbreeding and the impact on calving ease. Consider sire calving ease and daughter calving ease when selecting AI bulls.
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Survival of crossbreds versus pure Holsteins
Research shows promise that crossbred cows have higher survival rates and lower culling rates.
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Crossbreeding with Jersey sires – What have we learned?
Future generations of cows will keep the dairy operation productive and profitable.
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Genetics is Crucial for Fertility of High-Producing Dairy Cows
The ABC's of purebreeding and crossbreeding: Proceedings of "Breed For Success" (9.8 MB PDF)
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Survival and Profitability from the California Crossbreeding Trials
Crossbreeding has potential to improve the calving ease, fertility, health, and survival of cows.
Dairy crossbreeding: Results from new research and information still needed
Across the U.S.: commercial herd results, Holstein-Jersey crosses, Backcrosses, more. – eXtension.org
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Crossbreeding: Summary of the 2007 Petersen Symposium
Crossbreeding is practiced to improve the fertility and durability of their dairy herds.
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The California experience of crossbreeding
Mating Holsteins to A.I. sires from the Swedish Red, Norwegian Red, Montbeliarde, and Normande breeds. (367 K PDF)
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Crossbreeding in dairy cattle requires the use of THREE breeds
Moving from 2 to 3 breeds increases average hybrid vigor by 19%.
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Trends in dairy cattle breeding and genetics
Crossbreeding or selection are still available, plus new information from biotechnology.
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Crossbreeding: Why the interest? What to expect
Appears to result in dairy cows with high productivity and superior functionality.
Genomics
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Trends in dairy cattle breeding and genetics
Crossbreeding or selection are still available, plus new information from biotechnology.
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Using genomic data to improve dairy cattle genetic evaluations
Genotypes for 40,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are a new source of data. (36 K PDF) – United States Department of Agriculture
Economics
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Maximizing profit with sexed semen
Reproduction, sexed semen, genetic improvement, breeding, economics.
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How many animals on your dairy are not paying their way?
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Economic efficiencies of dairy herd reproductive programs
Reproductive status has a large impact on productivity and profitability. – University of Illinois
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How to estimate a dairy herd's reproductive losses
Caused by calving interval, dry periods, A.I. performance, more. (600 K PDF) – University of Nebraska
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How to maximize income by managing days dry
Benefit by maintaining the optimum calving interval. (562 K PDF) – University of Nebraska Extension
Reproductive performance
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Highlights from the Dairy Science Annual Meeting.
Jim Salfer shares highlights from the Dairy Science Annual Meeting.
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Sync programs can greatly improve pregnancy rate
Finding the right synchronization program for your operation
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Reproductive management of dairy heifers
The most important factor affecting estrus detection rate is weight of heifers at start of breeding program.
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New insights into factors affecting reproduction
The first service conception rate or pregnancy status at 150 days in milk (DIM). (18 K PDF)
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I can't get my cows pregnant: Where do I start?
Reproductive efficiency is on the greatest decline since the mid 1980s.
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Reproduction research challenges conventional wisdom
Reconsidering: decreasing the voluntary waiting, and early pregnancy diagnosis.
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Bull proofs: Breeding for success
Future generations of cows will keep the dairy operation productive and profitable.
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High production, low fertility?
Tips to improve conception rates. (88 K PDF) – Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council
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Top 10 places successful reproductive managers focus their time
How producers can make the same adjustments to their herds. (170 K PDF) – Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council
Physiology and anatomy
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Estrous cycle learning module
The biological mechanisms associated with getting a cow or heifer bred. – University of Nebraska
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Reproductive tract anatomy and physiology of the cow
How to get cows rebred, especially if artificial insemination and estrous synchronization are employed. (55 K PDF) – New Mexico State University
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Anatomy of the cow's reproductive tract
Identify and correct situations leading to poor reproductive efficiency. (1.3 MB PDF) – West Virginia University
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Reproductive anatomy and physiology of dairy cattle
Optimal reproductive performance is fundamental to profitability of the dairy enterprise. – University of Florida
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The reproductive function of dairy cattle
Overviews of the cow's and bull's reproductive tracts. – University of Wisconsin
Sexed semen
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Maximizing profit with sexed semen
Reproduction, sexed semen, genetic improvement, breeding, economics.
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Economic value of sexed semen programs
Tool to estimate returns for dairy heifers. – University of Wisconsin Extension
Other reproduction and genetics resources we recommend
- Heat detection is still important when using ovsynch programs (113 K PDF) – University of Illinois
- Estrus (heat) detection guidelines (560 K PDF) – University of Nebraska
- Managing reproduction during heat Stress (149 K PDF) – Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council
- Tips to improve conception rates (88 K PDF) – Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council
- 10 places managers focus their time (170 K PDF) – Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council
- Estrus synchronization with CIDRs – University of Illinois
- Improving reproductive efficiency – University of Illinois
- Managing reproductive disorders in dairy cows – North Dakota State University
- Aggressive management strategies for improving reproductive efficiency (301 K PDF) – University of Wisconsin
- Feeding dairy cows for efficient reproductive performance (35 K PDF) – University of Wisconsin
- Reproductive management of dairy heifers (5.7 MB PDF) – University of Wisconsin
- Troubleshooting infertility problems in dairy cattle (36 K PDF) – West Virginia University
- Checklist for reproductive management (172 K PDF) – The Pennsylvania State University
Web sites
- Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory – United States Department of Agriculture
- Net Merit updates – United States Department of Agriculture
- National Association of Animal Breeders
- The Bovine Genome Database – Georgetown University
- Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council
